Buffalo Bills News - October 20, 2003

Team May Call On Fazio To Assist [5:05 AM]Washington Post reports:
'Spurrier said it was the first time this season that he felt his players did not put forth the proper effort.'

Best and Worst [5:04 AM]Washington Post reports:
'Worst Tackling: Redskins safeties Matt Bowen and Todd Franz both fanned while trying to tackle Henry, who scored on a 14-yard touchdown to increase the Bills' lead to 24-7 in the fourth quarter. Henry rushed for a career-high 167 yards and scored two touchdowns.'

Spurrier questions team's effort [5:03 AM]Washington Times reports:
'The Redskins did little to convince coaches and fans alike that they can turn their once-promising season around. Their fourth loss in their last five games bore plenty of similarities to the ones that preceded it.'

For 'Bruuuce,' a bittersweet visit [5:02 AM]Washington Times reports:
'"It was certainly an emotional experience for me coming back and seeing so many fans yelling and chanting," said Smith, who played 217 games and made 11 Pro Bowls while playing for the Bills. "It was certainly a memorable experience for me. For all the years that I have been here and they supported my career, I just wanted to tell them, 'Thank you.' It was a great treat for me."'

Say hello to Serious Doubt [5:01 AM]Washington Times reports:
'And make no mistake, the Bills were eminently beatable. They were without their top offensive weapon, wideout Eric Moulds, and had been struggling themselves of late. But while the Bills clearly grasped the importance of the occasion — and responded with their best effort in a month — the Redskins plunged further into the depths. They let Drew Bledsoe and Co. drive for scores on two of their first three possessions and showed only the faintest glimmer of life in the second half.'

Bills' defense knocks Ramsey down and out [5:00 AM]Washington Times reports:
'"We had a chance to get back into it and make it 10-7," coach Steve Spurrier said. "We fumbled at the 1-yard line." Bills defensive end Aaron Schobel saw it as the game's defining moment, adding, "You sort of break their will when something like that happens."'

Barreling to oblivion [4:59 AM]Washington Times reports:
'So this is how it ends. The Washington Redskins come up empty in a game they absolutely had to win.'

Skins hurting, reeling [4:58 AM]Newport News Daily Press reports:
'Though badly outplayed, the Redskins kept the crowd of 73,149 from starting the celebration too early as they closed the gap to 10-7 early in the third on Ramsey's 25-yard pass to Rod Gardner streaking down the right sidelines. But they never threatened to take the lead after that.'

No sacks for Smith on big day [4:57 AM]Newport News Daily Press reports:
'"It was an honor to be back in this stadium," said Smith, refusing to discuss his pass-rush performance and the record. "My goal is, and always will be, to win."'

Oh, Henry! [4:56 AM]Richmond Times Dispatch reports:
'"You have to be a bit hard-headed at times," Bills quarterback Drew Bledsoe said. "You've got to keep going and doing the same things."'

Redskins' vow to change shows some things don't [4:55 AM]Richmond Times Dispatch reports:
'"I don't know how much fight we had in our team out there," Spurrier said. "I thought we were going to have it, but obviously we didn't have a fight the whole game."'

Bills 24, Redskins 7 [4:54 AM]Richmond Times Dispatch reports:
'Play of the game: With Buffalo ahead 10-0 early in the second quarter, the Redskins put together a 68-yard drive to move inside the Bills' 1-yard line. On third and goal, Redskins quarterback Patrick Ramsey took the snap, but before he could get away from center Larry Moore, Moore stepped on Ramsey's foot, causing Ramsey to trip. Left guard Derrick Dockery was pulling on the play, and crashed into Ramsey, causing Ramsey to fumble. Buffalo recovered at the 7. The Bills didn't score after the turnover, but the play summed up weeks of frustration for the Redskins. "I don't know what happened," Ramsey said. "I was spinning out to hand the ball off, something hit the ball, I lost the ball and started going for it."'

Same old sad tale [4:53 AM]Northern Virginia Journal reports:
'``I'm surprised because I thought that we were getting everything together and we were winning games and now all of a sudden we're losing," said Redskins tackle Chris Samuels, who sat out a portion of the second half with what was described as a stinger. ``It's just tough to deal with. But some way or another we've just got to come together and press through it and get some victories."'

Spurrier questions Redskins' fight [4:52 AM]Northern Virginia Journal reports:
'``Everybody's got their own opinion. If you ask me, `Do I question the fight?' No. Guys in this locker room fight and when you look at the tape tomorrow you are going to see guys fighting...In truth, you can't tell everything from just watching on the sidelines, either. I can sit on the sidelines and say [that], but until you watch that film that's the only way you can tell. I can speak for the defense. I'm out there with my guys. I know they're fighting every play. And that's the bottom line."'

Skins sink to low point of year [4:51 AM]Norfolk Virginian Pilot reports:
'Buffalo’s defense gave the Redskins nearly no room to operate. Washington tried to run but couldn’t. The pass blocking was as ineffective as its has been all season, with quarterback Patrick Ramsey finally going down with an injury.'

The Bills Turn Things Around Whipping The Redskins [4:47 AM]WGR-AM reports:
'Will the real Buffalo Bills please stand up! Which team is this, The one that quit on their coach and looked like they wanted him fired losing 30-3 to the previously winless Jets or the team that looked like they wanted to play for him forever which was Sunday with a 24-7 pasting of the Redskins?'

Gregg Williams Quotes [4:46 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'"(Punter) Brian Moorman really flipped the field for us today. I don't know how many punts he had today of more than 50 yards, but he did a great flipping the field. Those three guys that got the game balls today. There will be more tomorrow."'

Drew Bledsoe Quotes [4:45 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'"You know what, this is an interesting game and for the past month we have not been playing particularly well and we also haven't gotten any breaks over the last month. I think that when we watched the film there are times when we are trying to get something going and then something negative happens, where something just doesn't bounce our way. You have to be able to continue to go to work, continue to get better, and then eventually it all evens out. You play long enough and play hard enough, eventually those breaks will come back your way and we got a couple of them today."'

Travis Henry Quotes [4:44 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'"We played with a sense of urgency. The offensive line and everybody, myself included, knew that we had to get the running game started because before the season started that was one of the areas we knew we had to be good at and improve in. The first couple of weeks we were not doing it. Today the offensive line blocked great and we knew we had to come out and have a physical game in the run game considering that Eric Moulds was out. We just had to take control and that was what the offensive line, they took control of this football game."'

Ruben Brown Quotes [4:43 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'"I know a lot of people are not giving us much of a shot going out to Kansas City, but that doesn't bother this team. We're working hard, we're focused in on our goals and going to keep plugging away and hope everything works out for us."'

Josh Reed Quotes [4:42 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'"My whole team has been behind me. Playing the same position, we have a little closer bond. He's been through this, he's been able to work me through it because he has had first-hand experience."'

Aaron Schobel Quotes [4:41 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'"It's just as big as any other week. We'll start back on Wednesday like we do every week, and get after it. We had a good attitude all week, we practiced hard and everyone took it real serious."'

Antoine Winfield Quotes [4:40 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'On the fans reaction to Rob Johnson: "I thought it was going to be a lot worse. You know Rob's history here. He's a good man, and I wish him the best."'

Steve Spurrier Quotes [4:39 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'"Well not too much to say, Buffalo dominated the game. It looked like we had a chance to get back in it at 10-7 but we fumbled on the one-yard line, maybe we could have gotten into the ball game. Overall they ran the ball, we couldn't run the ball very well, and they beat us pretty good. We didn't have too many yards, had two drives about the whole game other than that we couldn't get much going. They played well, give 'em credit they dominated us."'

Bruce Smith Quotes [4:38 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'"It's obvious it's frustrating to everyone on this team from the coach on down and anyone who deals with this organization. Words can't explain how this team feels and how I feel. As far as coming back and playing in front of these fans. It certainly was an emotional experience for me for all the years that I have been here they all have supported my career and I just want to tell them thank-you. It was an honor to be back in this stadium. Also, it was nice to be here when Daryl Talley and to see so many of the individuals that I played with. It was a great treat for me."'

Redskins Lose to Bills 24-7; Changes Coming? [4:37 AM]Redskins.com reports:
'Buffalo dominated on the ground, rushing for nearly 200 yards. Running back Travis Henry had 167 yards on 31 carries and rushed for two touchdowns, while quarterback Drew Bledsoe was an efficient 19-of-26 for 244 yards and one touchdown.'